Report: Fiat Chrysler, Mitsubishi finalizing joint pickup project

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Mitsubishi will supply Fiat the new L200 as the basis of their upcoming pickup

by Marcus De Guzman

June 11, 2015 07:45

Fiat will soon start selling their own pickup based on Mitsubishi's latest-generation L200 as parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Mitsubishi are reportedly finalizing their pickup alliance.

According to Automotive News Europe, Fiat plans to sell the pickup in Europe and in Latin America by 2016 and will be have mechanicals from Mitsubishi. It will only differ from the Japanese model in terms of design according to Mitsubishi Global Pickup boss Koichi Namiki.

“Fiat's pickup truck will be 100 percent Mitsubishi from a mechanical point of view, but we have to consider differentiation [to the design and other areas visible to customers] and we're working on that,” said Namiki.

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The deal is expected to be finalized before the month of June ends added a Fiat spokesperson.

Last September, we reported that the two automakers have confirmed their pickup partnership after they signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wherein Mitsubishi will supply the Italian automaker the new L200 as the basis of their pickup.

Coincidentally, Fiat is currently a small pickup also called 'Strada' which is being sold in Brazil. The upcoming pickup will be sold under the company's light commercial vehicle brand, Fiat Professional.

This is the second deal between the two companies after Mitsubishi supplied FCA (specifically Chrysler de Mexico) with the Mirage G4. The compact sedan is now being sold in Mexico as the Dodge Attitude. Both vehicles will be built in Mitsubishi's Thailand plant in Laemchabang.